Reporting Identity Fraud

Identity fraud or identity theft is on the rise. Reporting identity fraud on Big Scammers ensures that those who run away with your personal and confidential information and choose to steal your identity. Reporting identity fraud is simple with the website to help you, along with relevant authorities and agencies such as the Better Business Bureau, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal Trade Commission and the Securities Exchange Commission. Don't let identity theft compromise you. Instead, choose to protect your interests and secure the welfare of those around you as well. Choose identity fraud reporting mechanisms to separate fact from fiction and catch the swindler red handed. http://bit.ly/2noOEpX

 

Reporting Identity Fraud to the Proper Authorities

Reporting identity fraud to the proper authorities can help resolve your fraud problem faster. Identity fraud is one of the growing problems in the online industry today. Businesses and individuals have lost millions of dollars to this harmful scheme. This is the reason that the government and private institutions are closely working together to help reduce this figure and put a stop to identity fraud.

Identity fraud occurs when a fraudster uses stolen information of another individual in order to acquire services, goods, financial gain or other valuable  items. Fraudsters usually launch a  well orchestrated malicious scheme in order to stealthily acquire information of their target victims. The aim of  these malicious schemes is to buy fraudsters enough time to  take advantage of the victims 's information, before the victim finds about the ongoing fraud and files a complaint  to the proper authorities. 

The only way you can immediately stop fraudsters from taking advantage of your stolen information is by reporting identity fraud to proper authorities. This is why it is crucial for you to know where you can report identity fraud in case you become a victim of this fraud. To give you some idea where  to go when reporting identity fraud, see details  below;

Reporting Identity Fraud

• FTC

Reporting identity fraud  to FTC or the Federal Trade Commission is one of the primary steps you can take. FTC offers a dedicated page for identity fraud victims where they can report how their identity was stolen. This online fraud reporting platform contains list of questions which you need to answer in order to provide  crucial information about your case. After you file a report, a copy of your complaint will provided to you along with a recovery plan. You can use the copy of your report from the FTC  when you file a formal complaint to your local police station. The recovery plan on the other hand will teach you how you can re-establish your identity after the  incident.

• IC3

Reporting  identity fraud to IC3 or Internet Crime Complaint Center is made easy and more accessible through the use  of online complaint form provided on their website. Like FTC's complaint form, the IC3 fraud reporting  tool is also made up of questions that allows you to detail the most important information about your identity fraud report. Note that IC3  have no authority to investigate or launch any form of recovery scheme. However, they have the power to forward your complaint  to local authorities who have jurisdiction over your case, provided  that your report contains substantial amount of information that can give authorities a good  investigative starting point.

• Card Provider

Reporting identity fraud directly to your card provider  is probably the most important step that you should take in case of identity fraud.  This is because only your card provider can put an immediate stop to all the transactions being conducted through your compromised account. Aside from this, your card provider can also place an alert to all your other accounts that may also be in danger of being taken over by the fraudster. The alert  offers an additional security layer to all of your accounts, meaning all of your card transactions will be carefully monitored and verified to ensure that they are authorized transactions.

The details provided above are the top institutions that you can go to when reporting identity  fraud.

More About Reporting Identity fraud and Preventing It

Financial identity fraud is on the rise as account takeovers and application frauds increase in numbers. Existing account fraud or account takeover fraud is when the credit or debit card information is acquired and the criminal uses either an actual, counterfeit card, or account number and expiry date (“the card not present” transaction). Victims may learn of the account takeover only when checking accounts online or receiving monthly account statement.

Application or new account fraud is when the criminal uses identifying information or sensitive personal data to open fresh accounts in your name. Application fraud is not something one would know about until monthly account statements reach you. If you want to ensure quick action, reporting identity fraud is critical. Financial identity fraud victims should have a recovery plan in place. Here's how you go about reporting identity fraud and ensuring that criminals don't run away with your personal data and your money.

#1 Contacting Credit Bureaus

This is the first step to take while reporting identity fraud if your Social Security number has been compromised or you are a victim of fresh account fraud. The fraud alert needs to be placed online as well as with any one of three credit agencies namely Equifax, TransUnion and Experian. When a fraud alert is placed at these credit bureaus, reporting identity fraud becomes easier. The fraud alert ensures that the credit report is flagged. This notifies credit card issuers to carry out identity verification before credit issue. The initial fraud alert can only be placed for around 90 days. Credit bureaus will also send a notice of rights on reporting identity fraud. Get a copy of your credit report, extension of fraud alert to 7 years and ensure lasting protection from the scammer. 

#2 Alert Credit Issuers

Another set of people who need to be alerted when you are reporting an identity fraud is the credit issuers. Credit grantors must be notified by the bureau about the fraudulent account. Credit bureaus should check for names of credit grantors with whom fraud accounts have been opened up, in case this information is missing from the credit report. Credit bureaus should also report in writing about who else has received the credit report and correcting the errors therein.

#3 Monitor Credit Reports

Reporting an identity fraud should also be coupled with precautionary measures such as monitoring credit reports. Fraud alerts do not prevent new accounts from being opened by the imposter. So credit reports need to be checked once in a while to ensure no one is stealing your identity and damaging your credit.

#4 Security Freeze

Credit reports with the credit bureaus can be frozen. By freezing credit reports, credit issuers can be blocked from accessing credit files except when permitted. This prevents thieves from opening up credit card  and loan accounts. Security freeze goes a step beyond fraud alert when reporting identity fraud. Security freeze is the perfect way to deal with thieves who won't take no for an answer despite the fraud alert. Non victims may also wish to activate security freeze for prevention in case they fear they have been compromised. 

#5 Reporting to the Authorities

This is a critical step in identity fraud cases. Reporting identity fraud to the authorities ensures that punitive action can be taken. Law enforcement officials will investigate the crime and nab the culprit. Keeping the number of the authorities is handy when showing it to creditors who require verification of the case. For example, the FTC regulations identify the identity fraud report to ensure that fraudulent use of your identity is averted.

Don't pay some thief's bill. Stand up  for your rights and report identity fraud. The best part about reporting financial identity fraud is that not only do you get your cash back, but the culprit is taken to task. Life can throw a lot of challenges and identity fraud is one of them. Take control and ensure that the thief pays for the crime, not you.